Boston.com Homepage - February 6 2014 - Stephen Horan

The following is an analysis of the homepage of the local news website Boston.com on February 6, 2014, the online presence of the Boston Globe. “Olympic Cred Flushed Away” The Obnoxious Boston Fan wrote this article about the current lack of amenities provided to the media at the Sochi Olympics. Prone, to hyperbole OBF references the anti-Semitism of the 1936 Olympics and follows that with a picture of a toilet and a paper sign requesting not to flush paper down the toilet. He continues to say that by not coddling the media in a manner they have grown accustomed to the media will paint Sochi in a poor light. OBF is a staple of Boston.com and his articles are always extremely opinionated. This extreme approach creates interest in all of his articles ranging across sports, from local to international. “Hot New Homes on the Market” This is a slideshow of recent new homes on the market. It seems that slideshows have become a very popular online format and this slideshow/article is eye catching and interesting as it spans a wide range of towns and residential real estate is always a hot topic. It is straightforward with no opinion. The draw comes more from the visual aspect of the slideshow. “The Queen wants Kate Middleton to Cover Up” This is a brief article that pulls from the British paper The Mail that the Queen has assigned her own personal stylist to dress Kate Middleton. Middleton’s celebrity status and the potential for a royal conflict make this front page news. While no real opinion is taken in the piece, it has a light hearted almost sardonic approach to the issue. “Is Jared Sullinger Untouchable” This story belongs on the front page due to the rampant sports fanaticism in the Boston community as well as the approaching NBA trade deadline. It states how valuable Sullinger is to the Celtics. His contract structure and skills make him the best bang for the buck the Celtics have. This opinion is controversial as Rajon Rondo is widely considered the best player on the Celtics. However, I agree with the writer’s stance and think that as the Celtics’ continue to rebuild it is more important to consider value than skill.